Big Fourth Quarter Against Maranatha Sends Eagles into Break on a High Note

ANKENY, Iowa—The Faith Eagles soared into the long Christmas break with a clutch fourth quarter in the final game of the semester and the final game of the Faith Christmas Classic, securing a 60-54 win over Maranatha Baptist.

After falling behind 11-8 at the end of the first quarter, the baskets started falling for the Eagles in the second quarter as Faith outscored Maranatha 20-9 to take an eight-point lead into the locker room. The third quarter was nearly the demise of the Eagles as Maranatha answered with a 22-12 run to start the second half.

The Eagles outscored the Sabercats 20-12 in the final frame, overcoming a two-point deficit at the beginning of the quarter. Faith rode the hot shooting of seniors Makenna Laib and Rachel Kleczka who combined for 13 of Faith's 20 points in the final ten minutes. One of the key baskets came with eight minutes to play and the Eagles trailing by two when Laib hit a three-pointer to put Faith up by one. A minute later, Kleczka answered with a three of her own to stretch the Eagles' lead to six. Another Laib three-ball with five minutes to play gave Faith a comfortable nine-point lead and Maranatha never threatened the remainder of the game.

Faith's win on Saturday came on the heels of a 68-58 loss to Trinity Bible College on Friday. With the split, Faith enters Christmas Break with a record of 3 wins and 5 losses.

Mikayla Jones was the star of the weekend for the Eagles, scoring 23 points on Friday and 19 in Saturday's win over the Sabercats. Other notable performances included Rachel Kleczka's two-game totals of 17 points and 26 rebounds and Makenna Laib's two-game totals of 24 points and 12 rebounds.

The Eagles return to action after the holidays with a weekend set of games against Barclay College on Friday, January 6, in Belton, Missouri, and on Saturday, January 7, against Manhattan Christian College, also in Belton, Missouri.